Michael Arcuri Won in

[Cha]

the 24th District in New YOrk! YAY! :patriot: :loveya:

"Arcuri to become the first Democrat elected to Congress from the Utica area since 1948. He will join the new majority in the House of Representatives as Democrats win control."

http://www.wktv.com/

Michael Arcuri had the best Victory Speech..talkin' about what Real Family Values were..i.e. "education", "minimum wage raise", "no privatizing Social Security", ect.

The republicon national committee tried their damnest with some smear ads that they didn't quite pull off. :)

[Cha]

1. Yeah, I knew that would

excite a lot of peeps. :)

[trogdor]

2. Booya!

Can't let you celebrate all by yourself. He's my congressman too.

[Cha]

4. I know he is! Remember when

Dave Jones was still here and we wanted to get a Congressman to replace Boehlert who was against bush's Misbegottenf War On Iraq?!~

This election is so Sweet! :D

[trogdor]

8. Yeah.

Andy Senior wanted me to run. Said I had good chops. Problem is, I'm funnier after a couple of Saranac Pale Ales, and I can't maintain that delicate state of non-sobriety for an entire campaign.

[Cha]

9. Good things were hatched at

the Dean Meetups! :toast:

[PATRICK]

3. I would wager the

direct smear ads were a help to Arcuri. Voters won't punish policy attack lies or huge DC scandals(Reynolds) but the straw that breaks the camel's back is letting the locals see the dirt up front and personal. Had the schmoes simply laid low they had a BETTER chance of hanging on against a new contender whose media attention is the biggest obstacle. However, they ALL had to do it Cheney's way, using the same campaign, lunging reflexively for the same dirt- if available. Arcuri's wrong number dialing may have "trapped" the GOP into going too far- and they richly deserve to be hoisted on their own petard as they were in many districts with the disastrous aggressiveness of the fizzling WH and national party strategy.

Congratulations to Arcuri. It gives hope to us all.

[Cha]

5. I would not take that bet!

I talked to people in our co-op who saw the ads who were disgusted that they would put that on around 6:00pm when the kids were watching tv.

It backfired big time. And since his aide didn't know what he was doing when he dailed that wrong number then it was simply Providence for us to have a Dem represent us in the 24th District for the first time in almost 50 years! That and a strong.."Throw The Bums Out" attitude permeating the air.

Plus, hearing Michael Arcuri's acceptance speech I think we have a real person.

[PATRICK]

6. I wish we had the guile

to lay out those things intentionally, so vulnerable and- let's face it- dumb- were the GOP to swallow such bait. But as tricks sometimes blowback accidents are better. Being ready for them and remaining honest is the key.

[Cha]

7. You betcha,

Patrick! Always Key!

[smirkymonkey]

10. Wooooo Hoooooo!

I am from that area and I never liked going back there because there were too many Republicans. But maybe things are changing - I never thought they would.